Scottsbluff High School senior Braden Lofink will follow in his older brother Beau's footsteps to play baseball at Western Nebraska Community College.

The younger Lofink made it official by signing with the Cougars on Wednesday.

"I chose to go there because it is close to home and I really like Coach [Mike] Jones and the rest of the coaching staff," Lofink said. "They have a few players that played with me at WESTCO that are there right now."

Lofink already knows the Cougar program well after watching his brother play at WNCC. Beau is now playing baseball at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado.

"I think it will be nice playing at WNCC," Braden said. "It worked out really well for my older brother. I thi

nk it will be similar for me."

Lofink also said knowing his family can watch him play was an important factor in his decision.

"It won't be much of a change and it will be nice to be close to home to see my family all the time," he said.

WNCC head coach Mike Jones said Lofink will play the outfield for the Cougars. He added that Lofink bring s plenty to the Cougar team next year.

"Number one he brings a competitive attitude. You are always looking for winners, guys that go out there and battle every day. Braden already has that, so I don't have to worry about," Jones said. "As an athlete I have really seen him grow over the last year. I saw the speed come around. I saw the arm strength. His bat speed. He played at a high level this summer. We just want to continue his development and watch him grow. We expect a lot of things from him offensively."

Last season for the Zephyrs, Lofink batted .416 with 15 doubles, four triples, 22 RBIs, and 52 runs scored. He also saw time on the mound with 29 innings pitched with 30 strikeouts.

Lofink will be joining a WNCC program that has five Scottsbluff/Gering players on the roster this season. They include Ty Benson, Trevor Garcia, Cooper Buchhammer, Esai Hernandez, Brent Barge.